Issue details
Decision to continue to administer the test and trace support payments to individuals on low income required to self-isolate
Central government announced the test and
trace support payments scheme on 20 September 2020 and two further
extensions to the scheme. The latest guidance extended the
eligibility for a support payment to parents and guardians under
either the main or discretionary support schemes described
below.
In addition the scheme extension to the scheme extends the
time-limit for retrospective applications, which is 42 days after
an applicant’s first
day of self-isolation. Previously this was 28 days.
Central government are assessing whether the scheme has
supported
people to self-isolate and incentivised testing. Ministers will
then decide if the scheme should continue past 30 June 2021.
Central government is providing further funding for Test and Trace
Support Payments of a £500 lump sum payment for employed
people on low incomes who are unable to work while they are
self-isolating because they cannot work from home.
To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, an
individual must:
• have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either
because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have
recently been in close contact with someone who has tested
positive;
• be employed or self-employed;
• be unable to work from home and will lose income as a
result; and
• be currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit,
income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or
Pension Credit.
To be eligible for a discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment,
an individual must:
• have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either
because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have
recently been in close contact with someone who has tested
positive;
• be employed or self-employed and earn up to £400 a
week;
• be unable to work from home and will lose at least 50% of
earned income as a result; and
• have less than £3,000 in savings.
Herefordshire Council will verify eligibility, process applications
and make payments.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Deleted
Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/05/2021
Decision due: 6 May 2021 by Chief finance officer
Contact: Josie Rushgrove, Head of corporate finance Email: jrushgrove@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 261867.